5. Not What It Seems

MAEVE'S POV

I had run out of Caden's room like my life depended on it after he went all crazy trying to force me into his bed.

I went to Nyla and told her about the incident and she tore Caden to filth with her words. Then she asked me if I'd be interested in working in the kitchen and that the pay was 15 moon coins.

That amount wasn't that big but would help me survive my forever trip. I told her about how I may be asked to work for free without payment because everybody expected the traitor's daughter to slave away as penance. Then she brought up the idea about the getup—Tying my red hair under a black scarf and covering up my face with the lie that I had a nasty scar that I was afraid of showing.

And it worked, they handed me a tray to serve at a room on the better side of the pack guest house, probably to the Alpha of Firstfell as their pack is one of the most trusted to the crown.

If only I knew how wrong I was as I heard Caden's question. I tried my best to blend in, to not be noticed, but trust my lifetime predator to recognize its prey.

I came up with an easy lie, still flustered by the man I stared down who I tried my best to ignore but Lyra kept wanting to get close.

He was beautifully handsome, immediately I entered I was floored. Hardly any men kept their hair at this length and he had the air that he didn't care.

He smelled like the butterscones I dreamed about while lying on Pippa with an empty stomach due to it being too late to have a meal.

"Kitchen duties, I had a bad sneeze and Miss Berta wouldn't let me go uncovered."

"They dare bring a sick slave to serve the prince?" He snapped.

I didn't want this to escalate because I'd be caught in my own web of lies. But before I could say anything the man who had let me in gestured for me to leave and I heaved a sigh of relief.

I made my way out, putting whatever transpired between me and the stranger who I just got to know was Prince Riven behind me.

******

I got home and met the house empty, evening was drawing near and the ceremony would begin. I quickly brought out the small sack I hid under Pippa. My small belongings secured within it, I removed the cash I just earned and added it to the stash left in the bag.

Everything was ready, all I needed to do was just wear the dress Nyla had forced me to prepare and attend the damn ceremony before making my way out.

I was only showing up to make sure enough people witnessed me in attendance so if I slip out it wouldn't be a cause for alarm and would be taken as fatigue.

I dressed quickly in the dark green dress. It was a bit much for me but Nyla had called it, "Wicked." It was a straight dress with no pleating like the expensive ones, this way no unnecessary materials were wasted. It was just straight but the cleavage was showy. I wouldn't say I had big melons but I was well rounded and this dress showed it. Even though it was loose, my curves and ass couldn't help but show.

I groaned wanting to take this off but I had no other options and to be honest I might as well use this opportunity to dress up once. So I made an effort and made my hair in a half up half down style, decorating it with the hairpiece I made with shiny stones I found along the river bank. Then I put two strands loose in front of my face as I stared at myself in the cracked mirror above the washbasin.

I looked good, I might have looked better if my mum was here.

I shook off the thoughts and applied the red rouge Nyla had stolen from Gretchen's room saying she wouldn't notice and anyway it served her right.

Feeling satisfied, I slipped out with the small bag, hoping to keep it above the sycamore tree near our pack's border.

****

I had just finished securing the bag among the thick branches and was already making my way back toward the ceremony ground when I heard quick shuffling behind me in the growing darkness.

And before I could act, my face was covered by a sack and I was hit with a brute force that made me pass out.

I woke up to find out I was tied to a lush bed. My legs and hands stretched out on the four bed posts. I tried to drag my hands and my legs but the rope bit painfully into my skin. I realized I couldn't shout for help as my mouth had been gagged with a cloth.

The room was dark so I couldn't tell where I was but I had a very bad feeling. The air smelled of expensive oils and something else that made me breathe in deeply.

Who would do this to me?

Before I couldn't think about it more, I heard someone rushing into the room followed by rushed hushed whispers and door clicks.

Then a low growl that sounded extremely menacing. I struggled to get away, whatever was coming wasn't going to be easy to fight off especially when I had been bound like an offering.

Then I saw it.

A silver glow approaching, I couldn't scream as it grew near. One moment the monster was before me, the other moment I felt it beside me. My eyes widened in horror as I saw what I couldn't describe. This wasn't a wolf, it was something different. Red veins like vines down its eyes and fangs that weren't wolf-like, they were shorter and sharper.

But then everything changed as it peered at me then removed the gag from my mouth while his hand gently stroked my cheek. I found my body reaching toward it. My mind was screaming to back away but my body craved it.

I closed my eyes as I scented the same smell that had come from the prince earlier. When I realized who this was my eyes flew open.

"P-Prince Riven?" I stuttered, now seeing him a bit more clearly in the dim light filtering through heavy curtains.